USU researcher seeks to teach engineering fundamentals to blind students

A Utah State University researcher is developing non-visual techniques to teach the fundamentals of engineering to students who are blind or low vision.

Dr. Wade Goodridge will oversee a new research study on spatial ability among blind students.

How do you improve the spatial ability of someone who can’t see?

“Spatial ability is not something that is only developed through sight,” Dr. Goodridge explains. “It’s something that can be tactilely developed and things like that. Or different methods like that can help you develop it.

“So a blind or low vision person’s capability to mentally map a room they’re in and know to head a certain direction to go out a door. That is spatially relevant, it’s a model in their mind.”

He said they are seeking to understand how a blind or low vision person develops spatial ability because it is an area of research that needs more attention.

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